The benefits of baby massage: A guide for parents
Updated Sep 30, 2024
Baby massage is a sweet way to pamper your little one and sneak in some extra snuggles. Parents worldwide have been connecting with their little ones through this therapeutic practice for centuries, starting immediately after birth [] in some cultures. But infant massage doesn’t just promote child-parent bonding. Like skin-to-skin contact, this tactile activity also has health benefits for both babies and parents.
Incorporating infant massage into enhances their physical and emotional development. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) [], the benefits of baby massage include a positive impact on , relaxation, pain, digestion, colic, strength building, and more. For caretakers, giving baby massages can also reduce stress and depression while promoting confidence, relaxation, and non-verbal communication with their baby.
Although baby massage techniques vary across cultures [], it isn’t complicated. It’s structured touch and is generally safe to do from birth (check with your healthcare provider first). It’s also gaining popularity in NICUs as studies [] link infant massage to positive results for both premature babies and their parents. Whether you’re looking to or , infant massage can be an easy way to help your baby through your calming touch.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
Benefits of baby massage
The International Association of Infant Massage [] states that the advantages of daily baby massage fall into four main categories — relief, interaction, stimulation, and relaxation — and these perks can have a positive impact on babies both physically and developmentally.
Physical benefits of baby massage
According to the AAP [], deep-touch pressure is when you “apply firm, yet gentle and consistent pressure on your baby's body,” and there are multiple physical benefits of infant massage including:
Baby massage benefits for colic relief
Soothes little ones, helping them suffer fewer colic symptoms including irritability and sleeplessness.
Baby massage benefits for gas relief
Helps tummies digest food easier, encouraging bowel movements, easing constipation, and stomach cramps.
Baby massage benefits for pain relief
Reduces discomfort from procedures and vaccines [] as well as from colic.
Baby massage benefits for stress relief
Lowers levels of stress hormones, helping little ones feel calmer.
Baby massage benefits for sleep
Promotes easing into sleep at bedtime as well as longer stretches of sleep [] for kiddos (and therefore their parents).
Baby massage benefits for immune system
Boosts circulation and stimulates white blood cells [] while decreasing autoimmune problems [].
Baby massage benefits for jaundice
Counteracts jaundice [] by positively affecting bilirubin levels in newborns.
Baby massage benefits for weight gain
Encourages growth and increases weight.
Baby massage benefits for preemie/NICU patients
In addition to the above perks that also benefit preemie/NICU babies (like lowering pain, encouraging bonding, promoting growth and weight gain, building a stronger immunity, and decreasing stress), massage for these tiny patients is also linked to:
Shorter NICU stays []
Increased bone density []
Better feeding tolerance []
Improved neurodevelopment [] and nervous system development
Developmental benefits of baby massage
As parents or caregivers incorporate gentle baby massage into their daily routines, this quality time together can promote baby development. Positive developmental benefits include:
Baby massage benefit for relaxation
Enhances flexibility, joint mobility [], and overall muscle relaxation.
Baby massage benefit for interaction
Encourages baby-parent bond, trust, and nonverbal communication.
Baby massage benefit for stimulation
Works to lessen skin sensitivity and reach a higher stimulation threshold.
Baby massage benefit for body awareness
Improves motor skills [] including muscle tone and coordination, while also enhancing self-awareness.
Caregiver benefits of baby massage
Babies aren’t the only ones gaining something during a massage session. Research found that infant massage improved mothers’ mental well-being [] by reducing anxiety, depression, and stress. Fathers also reported less stress, and studies [] found that both moms and babies had higher levels of oxytocin, a hormone secreted during physical touch.
How to get started with baby massage
Safety considerations
Although studies have linked infant massage to health benefits for both preemies and full-term infants, it’s best to check in with your little one’s doctor before starting. Also, be mindful of any lotion or oil you use. Avoid anything with potential allergens to help ensure a safe baby massage experience. Always perform a patch test on a small area of skin before massaging.
Avoid massaging baby’s fontanel [], or the soft spot on the top of their head. This is where a baby’s skull bones haven’t fully fused yet and instead, a thick membrane protects their brain. Although touching your baby's soft spot during normal care, like washing their hair, shouldn’t hurt them [], it’s best to avoid putting direct pressure on this vulnerable area. You’ll also want to monitor your little one for signs of fussiness and gauge their comfort level during the massage. Sessions that are too long or intense can cause discomfort, so it’s important to observe your baby’s non-verbal cues as you apply gentle pressure and stop if they aren’t enjoying it.
Create a relaxing environment
Before getting started, the first step is to set up a calm, comfortable space for your baby’s message. Consider dimming the lights and checking that the room is warm (as well as your hands!) since you’ll likely be undressing your little one if using oil. You can also play relaxing music or keep things quiet. Adding infant massage to your routine isn’t meant to create more stress for the caregiver, so aim to keep things simple and relaxed for both you and baby.
Basic techniques and baby massage tips
You can try adding infant massage into your baby’s routine at any age, with doctor’s approval
Wait until at least 30 minutes after baby eats [] or you may find it helpful to try 30 minutes prior to a feeding
Start the massage when your little one is quiet but alert (and not hungry or sleepy)
Follow your baby’s lead as you learn how to massage your baby — some little ones love certain body parts massaged, and others don’t
If they get fussy, try moving to a different part of the body or stop the massage session and try again later
Best baby massage practices
Cultural practices in baby massage vary, with research [] finding differences in duration, intensity, extent, use of oil, and parental involvement. These general soothing infant massage techniques may be a great place to start:
Back massage
Start with your little one on his or her tummy. Apply consistent deep-touch pressure gliding down your infant’s back with both hands while avoiding the spine. With these gentle but even strokes, start at the shoulders and move your fingers down to their lower back.
Hand massage
With your little one on their back, hold your baby’s hand with your thumb in their palm and your fingers on top of the hand. Massage their palm in a circle.
Feet massage
Hold your kiddo’s feet with one foot firmly in each hand. Clap them together with their heels touching. You can also massage one foot at a time by holding your baby’s ankle with one hand. Then, use your other hand to pull their foot as your thumb firmly glides along the bottom of their foot from heel to toe, and your fingers stroke the top. As you approach the toes, you can also give them a gentle tug.
Shoulder massage
Sit baby on your lap with their back leaning against your tummy. Rub their shoulders and stroke down their arms.
Full-body massage
Lay your little one in your lap or on their back. Start with one leg at a time and apply pressure as your fingers glide all of the way down from the top of their leg to their foot. Next, do each arm, one at a time, and then roll them onto their side or tummy and focus on their back (but never their head or neck).
Tips for integrating massage into your baby’s routine
Adding a regular baby massage routine into your infant’s schedule doesn’t have to be overwhelming or time-consuming. It can start as simple as spending a few minutes a day focusing on one part of your baby’s body and evolve into longer or multiple full-body sessions over time if desired. Remember to always observe your baby’s non-verbal communication and respect his or her cues. If your baby is turning away, fussing, or stiffening up, it’s best to stop the massage.
Now that you know the infant massage benefits and how to get started, let’s help you learn how to incorporate massage into your baby’s routine:
Tip #1: Check their mood
Always check your baby’s mood before starting each session. You want your little one to be happy, awake, and receptive to the massage. Never force the massage. Instead, respect your baby’s cues and only proceed if your little one seems open to starting and content during the massage.
Tip #2: Try in the morning
Some babies enjoy a massage in the morning as part of their wake-up routine. To help get their day started, consider massaging the baby between changing them out of pajamas and getting them dressed for the day.
Tip #3: Consider massage after diaper changes
Diaper changes can be a great way to anchor other daily activities like tummy time or infant massage. You can make it a habit to spend a minute focusing on a different part of the body after each diaper change, if your little one seems receptive.
Tip #4: Make it part of the bathtime routine
When you bathe your little one, you can multitask as you wash them. Try being intentional as you rub the soap down their arms, hands, or tummy. Or, let the warm water set a calming tone and start the massage after your little one is out of the tub and dried off. If you go this route, just be sure they’re warm enough after getting out of the water!
Tip #5: Add it to your nighttime routine
A can help kiddos fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Research [] has also found baby massage benefits for sleep, making it a powerful nighttime tool. Incorporating this calming step into your simple nighttime ritual is an easy way to help your little one unwind before bed and connect with them before saying goodnight.
Takeaway
Just like with skin-to-skin, your touch through massage can powerfully impact your baby’s health. Baby massage can help with sleep, constipation and digestion, pain, stress, builds strength, and more.
Infant massage is easy for parents and is generally considered safe to start at any age. We recommend checking with your child’s doctor before starting, however.
Baby massage helps parents build stronger attachments, learn their baby’s nonverbal cues, and decrease their own stress levels — it’s a win-win.
Baby massage FAQ
Q: What is baby massage?
A:
Infant massage is dedicated touch pressure that a caregiver can give a baby to bond with them and potentially provide other health benefits. The firm strokes used in baby massage can target a baby’s back, hands, feet, shoulders, and full body. You don’t have to focus on all areas during every session or spend a specific amount of time massaging a particular part of your baby’s body. Instead, pay attention to your baby’s cues.
Q: What are the main benefits of baby massage?
A:
There are many pros to baby massage for both infants and caretakers. The main benefits of infant massage are improved sleep, lowered stress for babies and parents, reduced pain, and less colic. It can also help with constipation and gas, decrease postpartum depression, and improve relationships between parents [16].
Q: How often should I massage my baby?
A:
There is no set number of times or duration that you should massage your baby for. Try making it a regular part of your existing daily routine, like incorporating it during diaper changes, after baths, or as part of your nightly bedtime routine. If your baby has colic [2], try massaging them at least 30 minutes after eating, if they are quiet and alert. Pay attention to your baby’s cues and follow their lead as much as possible. Stop the massage if your baby becomes fussy or upset.
Q: What kind of oil or lotion should I use?
A:
You can use petroleum jelly, Aquaphor, or natural oil (like coconut oil) for baby massage oil. However, you should skip adult massage oils and hand lotion, according to the AAP [2]. You also want to avoid nut-based oils due to potential allergens. You can also use non-medicated baby rubs for infants 3 months and older, but, when in doubt, check with your doctor first. The International Association of Infant Massage [17] recommends using an organic, cold-pressed vegetable oil that’s scent-free. Avoid anything scented so the smell doesn’t mask your natural odor— your baby loves it!
Q: Are there any techniques I should avoid?
A:
Follow your baby’s signals and never force the massage. Stop at any point if your baby seems uncomfortable and avoid putting pressure on baby’s spine or soft spot. Don’t start the massage right after your baby eats or if they are fussy. Instead, wait at least 30 minutes and ensure they are calm and awake. You can take baby massage classes [17] led by certified instructors to learn more about the most effective techniques.
Q: Can baby massage help with colic or gas?
A:
Yes, studies have found that baby massage can help with gas, colic [18], and constipation. Although researchers aren’t exactly sure of the cause of colic, baby massage can help soothe fussy babies and stimulate both the circulatory and digestive systems [4]. This can help colicky babies and little ones experiencing tummy cramps, constipation, and gas pain.
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Note: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor, pediatrician, or medical professional. If you have questions or concerns, you should contact a medical professional.
